fell on his face to the Earth and did worship and said unto him What saith my Lord to his servant And the Captain of the Lords Host said unto Joshua Loose thy shooe from off thy foot for the place whereon thou standest is holy And Joshua did so Josh 5.13 14 15. By this you may see they entered into the Land of Canaan with glory and triumph with joy and gladness Secondly Consider of the time and manner that these Jews were taken Captives and carried away out of their own Land. And there came up Shalmaneser King of Assyria and he took Samaria and carried away Israel into Assyria and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the River of Gazon and in the Cities of the Medes 2 Kings 17.6 And the Lord rejected all the Seed of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers until he had cast them out of his sight verse 20. Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight as he had said by all his servants the Prophets So was Israel carried away out of their own Land to Assyria unto this day verse 23. They were carried away with shame and reproach God was not with them but against them and was become their Enemy because they did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God and they built them high places in all their Cities from the Tower of the Watchmen to the Fenced City and they served Idols whereof the Lord had said unto them Ye shall not do this thing And they left all the Commandments of the Lord their God and made them molten Images even two Calves and made a Grove and worshipped all the Host of Heaven and served Baal And they caused their Sons and their Daughters to pass through the fire and used Divination and Inchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight that there was none left but the Tribe of Judah only By this a man may see the evil of sin It was sin that turned Angels into Devils and their Heaven into a Hell it was sin that turned Adam and Eve out of Paradise it was sin that turned the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into Flames and Ashes and it was sin that turned Israel out of Canaan that good Land that flowed with Milk and Honey Thirdly Consider how long these Jews have been hid and concealed from all other people on the face of the Earth that were carried away by Shalmaneser King of Assyria so long ago 2 Kings 17.6 No History can shew where they are in what Land or Nâ—tion No Travellers can tell us that go from Nation to Nation and from Kingdom to Kingdom to Countreys that are afar off even to the utmost parts of the Earth what is become of that people that are usually called the Ten Tribes I have often asked the Jews that live amongst us this question whether they have heard of them or did know in what part of the World they were their answer to me was That God Almighty had hid and concealed them in some part of the Earth or other but they did not know where but they did verily believe that God would some time or other bring them forth in the eyes of all the Nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the Salvation of the Lord. And he said Go thy way Daniel for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end Dan. 12.9 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices I was about to write and I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not Rev 10.4 Fourthly Consider the restauration of Israel to their own Land they shall return to that Land which God gave them for an Inheritance The Scriptures of truth do fully and clearly shew this For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet chuse Israel and set them in their own Land Isa 14 1. But the Lord liveth which brought up and which led the Seed of the House of Israel out of the North Countrey and from all Countreys whither I had driven them and they shall dwell in their own Land Jer. 23.8 For I will take you from among the Heathen and gather you out of all Countreys and will bring you into your own Land Ezek. 36.24 Thus saith the Lord God Behold I will take the Children of Israel from among the Heathen whither they be gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own Land Ezek. 27.21 And at that time shall Michael stand up the great Prince which standeth for the Children of thy people and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a Nation even to that same time And at that time thy people shall be delivered Dan. 12.1 For behold in those days and in that time when I shall bring again the Captivity of Judah and Jerusalem I will gather all Nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel whom they have scattered among the Nations and parted their Land Joel 3.1 2. And I will bring again the Captivity of my people of Israel and they shall build the waste Cities and inhabit them and they shall plant Vineyards and drink the Wine thereof They shall also make Gardens and eat the Fruit of them And I will plant them upon their Land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their Land which I have given them saith the Lord thy God Amos 9.14 15. And in that day saith the Lord will I assemble her that halteth and I will gather her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted And I will make her that halteth a remnant and her that was cast far off a strong Nation and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even for ever Micah 4.6 7. Behold at that time I will undo all that afflict thee and I will save her that halteth and gather her that was driven out and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I gather you for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the Earth when I turn back your Captivity before your eyes saith the Lord Zeph. 3.19 20. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts there shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem and every man with his staff in his hand for very Age. And the streets of the City shall be full of Boys and Girls playing in the streets thereof Thus saith the Lord of Hosts if it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this
them concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them and they left all the commandments of the Lord their God and made them molten images even two calves and made a grove and worshiped all the host of Heaven and served Baal and they caused their Sons and their Daughters to pass through the Fire and used Divination and Inchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger 2 Kings 17.9 to 17. O learn from hence these four things First When men leave God God leaves them when men leave truth truth leaves them when men leave the true Church the Church leaves them I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever but now the Lord saith Be it far from me for them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.30 Secondly You may see and understand by this what that is that blinds and darkens nations and people the Devil darkens Sin darkens and the inventions of men darken And he opened the bottomless Pit and there arose smoke out of the Pit as the smoke of a great furnace and the Sun and the Air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the Pit and there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the Earth and unto them was given power as the Scorpions of the Earth have power Rev. 9.2 3. Thirdly Marvel not then that men are ignorant and blind superstitious and inventers of evil things Idolaters and Blasphemers What wonder then is it to see these things when men change the Truth of God into a Lie and hold the Truth of God in unrighteousness And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a Lie that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.11 12. They feared the Lord and served their own Gods after the manner of the Nations whom they carried away from thence 2 Kings 17.33 Fourthly Learn from hence the cause of the sufferings of the People of God in all times This hath been the flaming Sword of persecution that hath turn d every way against them in all places namely the dark World by their inventions and by their cruel Decrees And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations And all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World Rev. 13.7 8. Here was a War and this War was with the Saints whose names were written in the book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the World. The cause of this War was for their not worshipping the image of the beast this the Saints of God could not do and therefore they were slain And cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name ver 15.17 The Saints did not make the image therefore they would not worship the image they did not set up this worship neither will they be worshipers of it with the World. God gives life to his worship but the Beast gave life to this by forcing and compelling saying to them that dwell on the Earth that they should make an image to the beast and he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak c. ver 14 15. This indeed is a mystery but if my reader be a Child of Light he will understand it by that little light I have here given him in this mystery Thirdly It is an evil World what evil is there out of Hell that may not be seen in this World What do you see in this World but evil What is there done by this World but evil And what do you expect from this World but evil Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil World Gal. 1.4 When our Lord Jesus was upon the Earth he then prayed for them that did believe and he prayed for them which should believe on him hereafter he prayed long and he prayed fervently that all they whom the Father had given him might be kept from the evil of the World Joh. 17.15 Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the father is this to visit the fatherless and widdows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the evil world Jam. 1.27 First then What have the Saints of God seen in this World but evil and do still see it men wallowing in the mire and filth of sin and all wickedness praying for their own damnation and treasuring up of wrath against their own Souls marching in troops to Hell and Damnation They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge the thoughts of their hearts are evil and that continually the words of their mouths are evil full of cursing and bitterness the works of their lives are evil being abominable Love not the World neither the things that are in the World if any man love the World the love of the Father is not in him For all that is in the World the lust of the Flesh the lust of the Eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the World 1 John 2.15 16. you see here what is in the World it is lust nothing but lust the lust of the Flesh and the lust of the Eyes and the pride of Life the lust of drunkenness the lust of Swearing the lust of Uncleanness the lust of Adultery the lust of Idolatry the lust of Covetousness the lust of Ambition and of Pleasures and Idleness a fulfilling the desires of the Flesh and of the Mind this is that the World is covered with as with a Garment Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death James 1.15 Secondly what is done by the World but evil Evil to themselves and Evil to the Saints And moreover I saw under the Sun the place of Judgment that wickedness was there and the place of Righteousness that iniquity was there Eccl. 3.16 so I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the Sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter and on the side of the oppressors there was power but they had no comforter Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive yea better is he than both they which hath not yet been who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the Sun Eccl. 4.1 2 3. This is that which
â—anities saith the Preacher vanity of vaniâ—ies all is vanity Eccles 1.2 What is there â—n this World but vanity what is this World but vanity 1. Mens thoughts are vain The Lord â—noweth the thoughts of man that they are â—anity Psalm 94.11 2. Their words are vain For when â—hey speak great swelling words of vanity they â—llure through the lusts of the flesh through â—uch wantonness 1 Pet. 2.18 3. Their labours are vain And the â—eople shall labour in vain Isa 51.58 4. Their devices and imaginations arâ— vain Why do the Heathen rage and thâ— People imagine a vain thing Psal 2.1 5. Their customs are vain For thâ— customs of the people are vain Jer. 10.3 6. Their Conversations are vain That yâ— henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walked in the vanity of their mind Eph. 4.17 Foâ— as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things from your vaiâ— conversations received by tradition from youâ— fathers 1 Pet. 1.18 7. Their Doctrines are vain Jer. 10.8 That we henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about witâ— every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of menâ— and cunning craftiness whereby they lye iâ— wait to deceive Eph. 4.14 8. Their Religion is vain If any maâ— among you seem to be religious and bridletâ— not his tongue but deceiveth his own heartâ— this mans religion is vain James 1.26 9. Their Worship is vain But in vaiâ— they do worship me teaching for doctrines thâ— commandments of men Mat. 15.9 10. Their Hopes are vain Behold thâ— hope of him is in vain Job 41.9 And thâ— Hypocrites hope shall perish Job 8.13 How vain then is this World it is Vanity all Vanity and nothing but Vanity Behold and see it in these postures First See the World lying It lyes and it lyes in wickedness The whole world â—yes in wickedness 1 John 5.19 Many of Gods dear Children have lain in Prisons â—n Dungeons in Dens and Caves of the Earth of whom the World was not worthy Heb. 11.38 But the World the whole World it lyes and it lyes in wickedness Secondly See the World walking Surely every man walketh in a vain shew Psalm 39.6 They walk in a shew and â—his shew is vain We may see a World of people walking but what way do they walk in and whither are they going See Mat. 7. Enter ye in at the strait gate for â—ide is the gate and broad is the way that â—eadeth to destruction and many there be â—hich go in thereat Thirdly See the World standing it â—tands but not steddy not fast it reels â—nd staggers and shakes The Earth shall â—â—el to and fro like a Drunkard and shall be â—emoved like a Cottage and the transgression â—hereof shall be heavy upon it and it shall â—all and not rise again Isa 24.20 And â—e maketh them to stagger like a drunken man â—ob 12.25 I will shake all nations and â—he desire of all nations shall come Hag. 2.7 The World shakes like a Tree that is shaken with a mighty wind But the wicked are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt Isa 57 20. If the World lyes then it is in wickedness If the World walks then it is in the broad way that leads to destruction If the world stands then it is reeling staggering shaking and troubled that it cannot rest O what then will it profit a man to gain a vain world and lose his precious Soul The World makes a shew but it makes no man happy Can a shew a vain shew make a man really happy But this I say Brethren the time is short it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none and they that weep as though they wept not and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not and they that buy as though they possessed not and they that use this world as not abusing it for the fashion of this world passeth away 1 Cor. 7.29 30 31. Is not this the fashion of this World The Courtiers they thirst after Honour the Lawyers they thirst after Riches the Tradesmen they thirst after gain the Gallants of the times they thirst after pleasures Persecutors they thirst after filthy Lucre. And I will say to my Soul Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry but God said unto him Thou fool this night thy Soul be required of thee then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided Luke 12.19 20. This was a Crimson fool a scarlet fool a fool upon record the mouth of wisdom called him fool of this sort of fools a Saint may find and see every where in the World. Some men would want less if they had less they would enjoy more if they had not so much The World that looks so great now will appear to be but little when men come to die that which now allures them will then torment them that which now fills their hearts will then disquiet their minds Deliver my Soul from the wicked which is thy Sword and from men which are thy hand O Lord from men of the World which have their portion in this life and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure Psal 17.13 14. If a man look into the World amongst all sorts of People what can he see in it but vanity and vexation of spirit men labouring for that which cannot satisfie nor save them from wrath to come they are things that perish the world is a vain shew and the fashion of it passeth away For all Nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity Isa 40.17 Sixthly It is a prejudiced world of the many evils the world lies under this of prejudice is not the least when people are possessed and filled with prejudice against God's holy Ways his Truth and Worship and against them that love and fear the Lord it is then a very hard matter to prevail with them to hear the Truth and to receive it The world hath a great prejudice against the people of God. First Because they are but a few to the rest of the world You that are but a few say they Are you wiser than all the world you that are the least in number are you wiser than the most Are you wiser than our Fore-fathers were They did do as we do now they did walk as we walk now and they did believe as we do believe now and we are very certain that they were in the right And the King of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat There is yet one man by whom we may enquire of the Lord but I hate him for he never prophesied good unto me but always evil the same is Macaiah the Son of Jimla 2 Chron. 18.7 Because strait is the gate and narrow is thâ— way which leadeth unto life and few therâ— be that find it Mat. 7.14 Now because the people of God
to pass hereafter First That there would be a great Apostacy a falling away from the truth v. 3. Secondly Out of that Apostacy one would rise up to be the head of it whom he calls the Man of sin the Son of Perdition that wicked One ver 3 8. Thirdly ' That he should be revealed in his time ver 6. And made manifest that all might know him Fourthly That his coming would be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish v. 9 10. Fifthly He shews what he would do when he was come oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped and as God sit in the temple of God and shew himself that he is God v. 4. Sixthly How the Lord would punish them and plague them for their Apostacy And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie that they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness v. 11 12. Seventhly This he calls the mystery of iniquity For the mystery of iniquity doth already work only he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way v. 7. Eighthly That the Lord shall consume that wicked one with the Spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming v. 8. God hath in all ages rais'd up faithful witnesses and filled them with his Spirit and they have preach'd the everlasting Gospel peace and good Will to Men on Earth and have declared that message which was from the beginning that God is love and light and they have vindicated that truth which others preach'd before them that was condemned by the World for Heresie and this work the Lord hath been carrâ—ing on in the Earth these many years past and this is the work that the Lord is carrying on in this our day pouring out of his Spirit upon his Sons and Daughters shining into the Hearts and Minds of Men turning them from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God that all men may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved and this is the Spirit of his Mouth the Rod of his Mouth that shall destroy that man of sin and all the wâ—rks of darkness and all that which exalts its self aga â—st Gods will and authority his love and grace The word of truth doth prevail and it will prevail This is that brightness that shall destroâ— tâ—e works of the flesh wherever it comes and â—l nes into any Hearts and this is that which shall â—reak in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms Namelâ— The Lord shall consume with the Spirit â—f his Mouth shall desâ—roy with the brightness of his comiâ—g Before she travelled she brought fortâ— before her pain came she was delivered of a man child who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall the Earth be maâ—e to bring for him one day Or shall a Nation be born at one For as soon as Zion travelled she brought sâ—ith her Children Isa 66.7 8. This shews the great success of the Gospel how it shall prevail and overcome And he shall reign over the House of Jacob for ever and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Luke 1.33 I am now to shew you in the last plaâ—â— tâ—aâ— tâ—e true Church shall stand for ever aâ—d this I shall evince from these following considerations 1. From the Word of od 2. From the Provi eâ—ces of God. 3. From the Pâ—ople of â—â—d 4. From the Enâ—mie of God. First from the W rd of God thâ—â—â—s The Word of Prophecy The Word of Promise The Word of Threatning 1. The Word of Prophesie The Lord God hath spoken by the mouth of his Prophets which have been since the World began that his people should be saved from their enemies and from the hands of all that hate them That in blessing I will bless thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the Stars of the Heaven and as the sand which is upon the Sea-shore and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies Gen. 22.17 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever Psalm 125.1 And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 The Lord hath founded Zion and the poor of his people shall trust in it Isa 14.32 behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far countrey Is not the Lord in Zion is not her King in her Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven Images and with strange vanities Jer. 8.19 And the Kingdom and Dominion and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. 7.27 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call Joel 2.32 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to Judg the mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Obad. 21. 2. The Word of Promise God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved God shall help her and that right early Psal 46.5 when thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee for I am the Lord thy God the holy one of Israel thy saviour Isa 43.2 3. And I say also unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16.18 let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 The question is put by God himself in that great and known place Isa 49.15 Can a Woman forget her sucking Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb yea she may forget yet will I not forget thee Behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands thy Walls are continually before me Thy Children shall make haste thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee God did never forsake his people God cannot forsake his people God will never forsake his people And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised that there shall not an Hair of their
110.1 Christ Jesus the Son of God expects this From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool Heb. 10.18 All the Saints of God live in the faith of this that all enemies will be made Christ Jesus's footstool let one then speak for all the rest the Apostle Paul For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15.25 The Prophet Isaiah hath spoken of good and great things to come And it shall come to pass in the last days that the Mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and all Nations shall flow â—nto it Isa 2.2 See here five things 1. The true Church is the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 3.6 2. This House is a Mountain Jer. 31. v. 23. Isa 2.3 3. This Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills Micah 4.1 4. All Nations shall flow unto it They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten Isa 50.5 5. Of the time when It shall be in the last days Isa 2.2 The Prophet Daniel that was after Isaiah spake of this glory And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth Dan. 2.35 And there was given unto him dominion and glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed Dan. 7.14 The holy Saint John that was long after Daniel saw this glory more clearly and hath shew'd it more fully And the seventh Angel sounded and there wâ—re great voices in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 For all Nations shall come and worship before thee Rev. 5.4 1. Here is then all Nations not a part but all not some out of all Nations but 〈◊〉 Nations 2. They shall come to him that is the desire of all Nations Hag. 2.7 That which Gods mouth hath spoken his hanâ— will fulfil Behold the Nations are as a droâ— of the Bucket and are accounted as the smaâ— dust of the Ballance Isa 40.15 A droâ— that the Lord can dry up and dust that hâ— can blow away 3. The end of their coming To worship before the Lord. For all Nation shall come and worship before thee and manâ— Nations shall come and say Come and let uâ— go up to the Mountain of the Lord and tâ— the House of the God of Jacob Mic. 4.2 And many Nations shall be joined to thâ— Lord in that day and shall be my people Zach. 2.11 O who will not wait for thiâ— with the greatest patience and pray foâ— this with the greatest fervency that God ways may be known upon earth and his saviâ—â— health among all Nations Psal 67.2 The Prophet Jeremiah hath spoken 〈◊〉 glorious things to come But this is 〈◊〉 Covenant that I will make with the House Israel after those days saith the Lord will put my Law in their inward parts aâ— write it in their hearts and will be their Gâ—â— and they shall be my people And they shâ—â—â— teach no more every man his Neighbour 〈◊〉 every man his Brother saying Know â— Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them saith the Lord Jer. 31.33 34. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Isa 11.9 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Hab 2.14 Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased Dan. 12.4 This running will be from error to truth from the traditions of men to the holy Word of God from superstition to the power of godliness and from idolatry to worship the living God in spirit and truth This running will be from prophecies to providences and from precepts to promises from one part of God's Word to another and from lesser light to greater light till all men come to know and enjoy the true light of God the light of his countenance the light of his spirit the light of his providences and the light of his Word Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Psa 119.105 This liâ—ht shines out of darkness and shines into the hearts of men to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus â—hrist and in his light they shall see light To know God is mens greatest wisdom and to enjoy him for ever will be their greatest happiness Ezekiel the Prophet hath spoken of blessings of great blessings and of showers of blessings to come And I will make them and the places round about my Hill a blessing and I will cause the shower to come down in his season There shall be showers of blessings Ezek. 34.26 This Propheâ— hath spoken much concerning the Jew restauration and of the glory that shal follow and let the Reader consider theâ— these four things First how they went into the land oâ— Canaan and possest it in the days of Joshua they were as terrible as an Armâ— with Banners Cant. 6.4 The dread anâ— fear of them fell upon their enemie And she said unto the men I know that tâ— Lord hath given you the Land and that yoâ— terror is fallen upon us and that all the Iâ—habitants of the Land faint because of yoâ— For we have heard how the Lord dried up tâ— waters of the Red Sea for you when you caâ— out of Egypt and what you did to the tâ—â— Kings of the Amorites that were on the othâ— side Jordan Sihon and Og whom ye â—â—terly destroyed And as soon as we had heaâ—â— these things our hearts did melt neither iâ— there remain any more courage in any man because of you For the Lord your God he is God in Heaven above and in the Earth beneath Josh 2.9 10 11. They saw the glory of Gods miracles in their passing over Jordan the waters fled from them they stood up in heaps and were cut off Josh 3.13 They then had Gods glorious presence with them and he made his glorious Arm bare for them and the Angel of his presence went before them And it came to pass when Joshua was by Jericho that he lift up his eyes and looked and behold there stood a man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand And Joshua went unto him and said unto him Art thou for us or for our adversaries And he said Nay but as Captain of the Host of the Lord am I now come And Joshua
said to the Chaldeans The thing is gone from me He had forgot it but was so dâ—sirous to know the Dream and the Interpretation thereof that he threatened them Ye shall be cut in pieces and your houses shall be made a dunghil verse 5. But if ye shew the Dream and the Interpretation thereof ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour therefore shew me the Dream and the Interpretation thereof verse 6. These promises and threatenings prevailed not They answered again and said Let the King tell his Servants the Dream and we will shew the Interpretation of it verse 7. The King answered and said I know of a certainty that ye would gain the time because ye see the thing is gone from me Here the King gives his opinion of the Wise Men of Babylon that they were no other than flatterers and liars For ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me till the time be changed therefore tell me the Dream and I shall know that ye can shew me the Interpretation thereof verse 8 9. The Chaldeans answered before the King and said there is not a man upon Earth that can shew the Kings matter verse 10. Here they make their defence for themselves and pleaded the unreasonableness of the thing that was required of them Therefore there is no King Lord or Ruler that asked such things at any Magician or Astrologer or Chaldean And it is a rare thing that the King requireth and there is none other that can shew it before the King except the Gods whose dwelling is not with flesh ver 11. That they should be put to death for not making known that to the King which themselves did not know that indeed was like a Heathen And the King commanded to destroy all the Wise Men of Babylon verse 12. And the Decree went forth that the Wise Men should be slain verse 13. Daniel hearing of what had passed between the King and the Chaldeans and fearing lest himself and his Fellows should have been slain with them he went first to the King and desired of him that he would give him time and he would shew the King the Interpretation That was granted verse 16. Daniel then went to his house and made the thing known to his companions that they would desire mercies of the God of Heaven concerning this secret that Daniel and his Fellows should not perish with the rest of the Wise Men of Babylon Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a Night-vision then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven By this the name of God was blessed and praised the King was satisfied the Wise Men of Babylon saved Daniel honoured and rewarded and this great secret revealed verse 17 18 19. First Daniel shews King Nebuchadnezzar the Dream or Vision Thou O King sawest and behold a great Image this great Image whose brightness was excellent stood before thee and the form thereof was terrible This Images head was of fine gold his breast and his arms of silver his belly and his thighs of brass his legs of iron his feet part of iron and part of clay Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands which smote the Image upon his feet that were of iron and clay and brake them in pieces Then was the iron the clay the brass the silver and gold broken to pieces together and became like the chast of the summer threshing-floors and the wind carried them away that no place was found for them and the stone that smote the Image became a great mountain and filled the whole Earth verse 31. to verse 35. This is the Dream that is certain Secondly Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar the Interpretation thereof Thou O King art a King of Kings for the God of Heaven hath given thee a Kingdom power and strength and glory And wheresoever the children of men dwell the beasts of the field and the fowls of the Heaven hath he given into thine hand and hath made thee ruler over them all thou art this head of gold And after thee shall arise another Kingdom inferior to thee and another third Kingdom of brass which shall bear rule over all the Earth And the fourth Kingdom shall be as strong as iron Forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things And as iron that breaketh all these shall it break in pieces and bruise And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes part of potters clay and part of iron the Kingdom shall be divided but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay so the Kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken And whereas thou sawest iron mixt with miry clay they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men but they shall not cleave one to another even as iron is not mixed with clay This hath brought me to the words of my text And in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed And the Kingdom shall not be left to another people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever IN the opening of these words I shall shew First What this Kingdom is Secondly Who it was that should set up this Kingdom Thirdly Of the time of its being set up Fourthly The power strength and glory of this Kingdom and that in four things 1. That it shall never be destroyed 2. The Kingdom shall not be left to another people 3. It shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms 4. It shall stand for ever First then This Kingdom is the Church the True Church the Church of God upon Earth this Church hath many Titles but one glorious Head the Lord Jesus Christ The Church is called a Spouse a Bride a Flock a Vineyard a Garden a Body a House a Family but here in the Text it is called a Kingdom as also in other places of Scripture That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory 1 Thes 2.12 You are called of God and you are called to a Kingdom and it is the Kingdom of God O walk worthy of it you that are called to it Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 You are of the Kingdom you are in the Kingdom the Kingdom of his dear Son. I John who also am your brother and companion in tribulation and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ Rev. 1.9 Here the Church is the Kingdom of his patience hereafter it will be the Kingdom of his glory He that will be a Saint must be a sufferer here they suffer for Christ but in Heaven they shall reign with Christ Secondly The Church of God is called a Nation Open ye the
stain the pride of all glory and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the Earth Isai 23.9 But every true Child of God may glory in this that they know the Lord experimentally and savingly His power that is so glorious his ways that are so just his word that is so true his name that is so excellent his wisdom that is so great his grace that is so full his promises that are so precious his people that are so happy his mercies that endure for ever his works that are so wonderful his Spirit that leads into all truth his loving kindness that he never takes from them and that glorious inheritance which is laid up in Heaven for them now this every poor Saint may glory in therefore let no man glory in men for all things are yours 1 Cor. 3.21 Thus I have shewed you God in his works and in his providences and here I am shewing you God in his Word that you may know the God of Heaven There are amongst men several Ranks Degrees and Qualities some are mighty some are wise some are rich and some are poor men now amongst all these whom hath God chosen to be his peculiar people the Apostle James tells us Hearken my Beloved Brethren hath not God chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Jam. 2.5 Outwardly Poor but inwardly Rich little in hand but much in hope and in the promise poor in Spirit but theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven they that have the least of the Earth have most of Heaven they have thaâ— faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 Every true believer hath in Faith and in Hope all that God hath promised and all that Christ hath puâ—chased and all that the Spirit can apply God hath begun that good work in them and they have chosen that good part which they will not part with for all the Silver in America nor for all the Gold in Africa O! ye holy and blessed Angels that shine in heavenly glory brighter than the Sun on Earth admire the depth of the riches both of the love and grace of God in that he hath chosen the Poor of this World Rich in Faith heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven to be your Companions to be as the Angels of God in Heaven Mat. 22.30 O! what a blessed Choice is this O! ye inhabitants of the Earth fear and tremble before the God of the Spirits of all Flesh And Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psal 2.12 Rejoyce and be glad O! all ye his Saints and bless and praise the God of Heaven that sets up his Church and hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification to be the Companions of Angels and Heirs and joynt Heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together Rom. 8.17 But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem an innumerable company of Angels to the general assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant and to the Bloud of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. by this you may learn to know God which is life eternal to know Joh. 17.3 Thirdly I am to shew you the time when this Kingdom was to be set up In the Days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom let him that hath understanding mind well these three things The Days The Kings The Way First Of the days here spoken of they are here called the latter days But there is a God in Heaven that revealeth secrets and maketh known to the King Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days Daniel 2.28 the mystery of God that was revealed and made known to Daniel what should be in the latter days in the Kingdoms of men and in the Church of God these latter days were to be the days of the Gospel for so are the Gospel days called both in the Old Testament and in the New by the Prophets and by the Apostles Gospel days are called latter days and some times last days And it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills all Nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 The anger of the Lord shall not return until he have executed and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly Jer. 23.20 And thou shalt come up against my People of Israel as a Cloud to cover the Land it shall be in the latter days and I will bring thee against my Land that the Heathen may know me when I shall be sanctified in thee O Gog before their eyes Ezek. 38.16 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befal thy People in the latter days for yet the vision is for many days Daniel 10.14 Afterward shall the Children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David their King and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days Hos 3.5 But in the last days it shall come to pass that the Mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the Mountains and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it Mic. 4.1 And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your daughters shall prophecy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams Acts 2.17 Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 This know also that in the last days perillous times shall come 2 Tim. 3.1 He hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Heb. 1.2 knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts 2 Pet. 3.3 Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antiâ—hrists wâ—â—reby we know that it is the â—â—st time 1 John 2.18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last â—â—â—â—e who should walk after their own lust Jude 18. Here you see is a cloud of witnesses the Prophets and the Apostles they have all testified and spoken of
this fully and plainly that the latter days and last days are Gospel days For so are they called in the Scriptures of truth then the days of these Kings were to be no other than Gospel days in the days of these Kings that is in Gospel days Secondly Of the Kings that were to be in Gospel times for if the days of these Kings were to be Gospel days then these Kings must be in Gospel times This is so clear and plain that it cannot be denied these Kings were to arise out of the Fourth Kingdom that was to be as strong as Iron And after thee shall arise another Kingdom inferiour to thee and another third Kingdom of Brass which shall bear rule over all the Earth and the fourth Kingdom shall be as strong as Iron for as much as Iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things and as Iron that breaketh all these shall it break in Pieces and bruise and whereas thou sawest the Feet and Toes part of Potters Clay and part of Iron the Kingdom shall be divâ—ded but there shall be in it of the strength of the Iron for as much as thou sawest the Iron mâ—xed with miry clay and as the toes of the feet were part of Iron and part of Clay so the Kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken Dan. 2.39 40 41 42. And four great beasts came up from the Sea divers one from another The first was like a Lion and had Eagles Wings and I beheld till the Wings thereof were pluckt and it was lifted up from the Earth and made stand upon the feet as a man and a mans heart was given to it and behold another Beast a Second like to a Bear and it raised up it self on one side and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it and they said thus unto it Arise devour much flesh After this I beheld and lo another like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl the beast had also four Heads and dominion was given to it And after this I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast dreadful and terrible and strong exâ—eedingly and it had great Iron teeth it devoured and brake in pieces and stampâ—d the residue of â—t with the feet and it was divers from all â—he beasts that were before it and it had ten Horns Dan. 7.3 4 5 6 7 Thus he said The fourth beast shall be the fourth Kingdom upon Earth which shall be diverse from all Kingdoms and shall devour the whole Earth and shall tread it down and break it in pieces And the ten Horns out of this Kingdom are ten Kings that shall arise and another shall arise after them and he shall be diverse from the first and he shall subdue three Kings verse 23 24. The truth of this will yet farther appear to us because these Kings are so often named and spoken of in the New Testament And ye shall be brought before Governours and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them and the Gentiles Mat. 10.18 Take heed to your selves for they shall deliver you up to Counsels and in the Synagogues ye shall be beaten and ye shall be brought before Rulers and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them Mark 13.9 And he said unto them The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and they that exercise Authority upon them are called Benefactors Luke 22.25 But the Lord said unto him Go thy way for he it a chosen Vessel unto me to bear my Name before the Gentiles and Kings and the Children of Israel Acts 9.15 And the Kings of the Earth the great men and the rich men and the chief Captains and the mighty men and every bondman every freeman hid themselveâ— in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains Rev. 6.15 For they are the spirits of Devils working Miracles which go forth unto the Kings of the Earth and of the whole World to gather them to the battel of that great day of God Almighty Rev. 16.14 And in the 17th chapter they are mentioned five times With whom the Kings of the Earth have committed fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been drunk with the Wine of her fornication Rev. 17.2 And there are seven Kings five are fallen and one is and the other is not yet come and when he cometh he must continue a short space Verse 10. And the ten Horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdom as yet but receive power as Kings one hour with the beast Verse 12. And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 18.3.9 Verse 18. This is so clear and very plain that I need not say any more as to this for in the days of these Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom Rev. 19.18 19. Thirdly Of the way and manner how this Kingdom was to be set up It was prophesied by Isaiah the Prophet For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 Therefore thus saith the Lord God Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a trye stone a precious stone a corner stone 1 Pet. 2.6 a sure foundation and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Isa 28.16 Now what way did God take to bring this about this way he made Providences fulfil Prophecies And it came to pass in those days that there went out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed and all went to be taxed every one in his own City And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the City os Nazareth into Judea unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed with Mary his espoused Wife being great with child And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered and she brought forth her first born Son Luke 2.1 to 7. Little did Caesar Augustus think when he made this Decree that all the World should be taxed what this was to do what this was to accomplish and fulfil this thing brought up the holy Child Jesus from Galilee out of the City of Nazareth into Judea unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem to be brought forth and born there according to the Scriptures and they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea For thus it is written by the Prophet Micah 5.2 Mat. 2.5 This brought the wise men from the East that came to worship him verse 2. This brought the Angel to the Shepherds as they were abiding in the field keeping watch over their slock by night This brought the Shepherds to the Manger wherein the Babe
glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus which Paul Preached unto them that a Church was here gathered and set up That their â—aith was spoken of throughout the whole world Rom. 1.8 Oh the depth of the riches both of â—he Wisdom and knowledge of God how unâ—earchable are his Judgments and his ways â—ast finding out Rom. 11.33 Next let us â—ee what God wrought by Pauls ministry â—n the City of Corinth The Apostle Paul having past through â—everal parts in Asia he came to the City â—f Corinth and finding there a poor man â—nd his wife Aquila and Priscilla that â—ad been banished from Italy by Claudius â—or their Religion they came and dwelt â—n the City of Corinth and the Apostle â—aul became their guest being of the same â—ccupation Tent-makers and he conâ—â—nued there a year and six months in which time he did so batter down the Devils Kingdom of Darkness and Blindâ—ess Superstition and Idolatry and â—otwithstanding the great oppositions he â—here met with both from the Jews and â—he Heathens God Almighty did so â—less his labours and crown his Miâ—â—stry with that success that many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized and here also was a glorious Church gathered and set up That in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.5 6 7. and see Acts 18. As God did of old set up a Kingdom in the days of the Pharaohs Kings of Egypt when the Children of Israel went down into Egypt they were but few in number a very small number being but threescore and ten Gen. 46.27 but when they went out of Egypt they were many hundred thousands they went into Egypt weak and feeble but they went out strong and mighty they were poor and needy when they went in but they went out with great substance So in the days of the Gospel the Goâ— of Heaven did then set up a Kingdom iâ— the days of the Herods in the days of thâ— Caesars and this he did in the sight of hiâ— Enemies and in the face of all oppositions The very Enemies themselves did confess in that day that they were not ablâ— to hinder it nor to overthrow it Thâ— Pharisees therefore said among themselveâ— Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing Behold the World is gone after him John 12.19 At the beginning of the Gospel-days this Church of Christ or Kingdom that the God of Heaven did then set up was very little and small And the number of their names together were about an hundred and twenty Acts 1.15 But the Lord did soon increase them And there was added unto them about three thousand Souls Acts 2.41 Next you find they were multitudes And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common Acts 4.32 And the believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women Acts 5.14 And thus you see from an hundred and twenty they became thousands and from thousands to multitudes so great a multitude as no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues By this you may plainly see and understand the way and manner how the God of Heaven â—in the days of these Kings did set up a Kingdom and this he will do to the end of the World. I shall in the next place shew you the Power Strength and Glory of this Kingdom FIrst In that it shall never be destroyâ—â— The Church of God is excellently divided into two parts Militant and Triumphant Militant on the Earth Triumphant in Heaven The Inhabitants of Heaven are of three sorts The blessed Trinity The blessed Angels The blessed Saints First The blessed Trinity For there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 John 5.7 This makes our Salvation to be sure our Inheritance to be certain our Gospel to be true our Security to be immortal this is that our Lord Jesus declared to the Jews and testified to them but they understood him not Jesus answered and said unto them Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whither I go but ye cannot tell whence I come and whither I go John 8.14 He thaâ— believeth on the Son of God hath the witnesâ— in himself he that believeth not God hatâ— made him a Liar because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son and this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5.10 11. The Gospel is called the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 because it proceeded from God the everlasting Father The Apostles did not receive the Gospel they preached from men but from God it was published and preach'd by Christ Jesus the everlasting Son of God it was applied by the everlasting Spirit of God and the effects of the Gospel will be everlasting The blessed Trinity fills Heaven with light and glory the glory of vision the glory of a full enjoyment of all happiness For as it is written Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Secondly The blessed Angels of Heaven And I beheld and I heard the voice of many Angels round about the Throne and the number of thâ—m was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour glory and blessing Rev. 5.11 12. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels Heb. 12.22 As these Angels are great in number being innumerable so they are excellent in their natures For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Heb. 2.16 They are invisible spirits cloth'd with holiness covered with glory enriched with knowledge arm'd with power fill'd with love adorned with heavenly beauty and shine in heavenly glory Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 The Scripture speaks of a threefold Ministry 1. Of the Ministry of the Prophets I have also spoken by the Prophets and I have multiplied Visions and used similitudes by the Ministry of the Prâ—phets Hos 12.10 This Ministry the Children of Israel were under Moses and the Prophets but they did not understand them 2. The Ministry of Angels And they are ministring Spirits sent forth by God Almighty to minister for them who shall be
heirs of Salvation and the Church of God here on Earth hath received from God many benefits and great blessings by the hands of these blessed Angels They hinder evil from us and further good to us They execute God's wrath and vengeance and judgments on wicked men and they do comfort and strengthen and relieve Gods own People This is very plain in Scripture that they have done it and we do all believe they do it still Two Angels were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah For we will destroy this place because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it Gen. 19.13 And it came to pass that night that the Angel of the Lord went out and smote in the Camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand and when they arose early in the morning behold they were all dead Corps 2 Kings 19.35 And upon a set day Herod arayed in royal apparel sat uppon his throne and made an oration unto them And the people gave a shout saying It is the voice of a God and not of a man and immediately the Angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not God the glory and he was eaten of Worms and gave up the Ghost Acts 12.21 22 23. Angels by a special command from God do execute his wrath and vengeance on wicked men Persecutors have been cut off but no man saw the hand that smote them Gods Arrows have stuck fast in them though no man saw the Arm that drew the Bow they have been suddenly removed out of this world into another O! how many persecuters have tumbled fallen and perished Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castedst them down into destruction how are they brought into desolation as in a moment They are utterly consumed with terrors as a dream when one awaketh so O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image Psalm 73.18 19 20. O! how hath God made his Judgments manifest and been a swift witness against persecutors Those who were one day breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the Servants of the Lord the next day have been dead have we not heard and read this the Angels that stand before God Almighty wait but for a commission and a command but a look to cut down such wicked wretches Now as Angels do execute Gods wrath and vengeance on wicked persecuters so they do also strengthen and comfort Gods People under their sorest tryals and greatest afflictions when the Prophet Elisha was besieg'd in Dothan by the Assyrian Army the Angels of Heaven were sent down to relieve him And when the Servant of the man of God was risen early and gone forth behold an Host compassed the City both with Horses and Chariots and his servant said unto him Alas my master how shall we do and he answered Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them and Elisha prayed and said Lord I pray thee open his eyes that he may see and the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw and behold the mountain was full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha 2 King. 6.15 16 17. After Daniel had been mourning three full weeks and humbled himself before the Lord an Angel was sent from Heaven to strengthen and comfort him And he said unto me O! Daniel a man greatly beloved understand the Words that I shall speak unto thee and stand upright for unto thee am I now sent and when he had spoken this word unto me I stood trembling then said he unto me Fear not Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thine Heart to understand and to chasten thy self before thy God thy words were heard and I am come for thy words but the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days but lo Michael one of the chief Princes came to help me and I remained there with the Kings of Persia Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days for yet the vision is for many days and when he had spoken such words unto me I set my face toward the ground and I became dumb and behold one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips then I opened my mouth and spake and said unto him that stood before me O my Lord by the vision my sorrows are returned upon me and I have retained no strength for how can the servant of this my Lord talk with this my Lord for as for me straight-way there remaineth no strength in me neither is there breath left in me Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man and strengthened me And he said O man greatly beloved fâ—ar not peace be unto thee be strong yea be strong and when he haâ— spoken unto me I was strengthened and said Let my Lord speak for thou hast strengthened me Then said he Knowest thou wherefore come unto thee and now will I return to fight with the Prince of Persia and when I aâ— gone forth lo the Prince of Grâ—â—a shaâ—â— come but I will shew thee that which is notes in the scripture of Truth and there is mâ—râ— that holdeth with me in thâ—se things but Michael your Prince Dan. 10.11 to 21. When our Saviour was in an Agony there appeared unto him an Angel from Heaven strengthening him Luke 22.43 Herod that was a man of blood stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the Church and he killed James the Brother of John with the Sword and because he saw it pleased the Jews he proceeded farther to take Peter also And when he had apprehended him he put him in Prison and delivered him to four Quaternions of Souldiers to keep him intending after Easter to bring him forth to the People Peter therefore was kept in Prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him And when Herod would have brought him forth the same night Peter was sleeping between two Souldiers bound with two Chains and the Keepers before the door kept the Prison and behold the Angel of the Lord came upon him and a light shined in the Prison and he smote Peter on the side and raised him up saying Arise up quickly and his Chains fell off from his Hands and the Angel said unto him Gird thy self and bind on thy sandals and so he did and he saith unto him Casâ— thy garment about thee and follow me and he went out and followed him and wisâ— not that it was true which was done by the Angel but thought he saw a vision Acts 12.1 to 9. By this you may understand the Ministry of Angels and the great benefits the Church of God receives by these blessed Angels Thirdly The blessed Saints of Heaven But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem
to his Church Armour and also unto every Member of Christ Put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil Ephes 6.11 Other Armour will not serve the turn it must be the Armour of God put on the Armour of God this will not do neither unless it be the whole Armour of God put on therefore the whole Armour of God that you may be able to stand The Church of God hath not only Armour but Weapons also For the Weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God 2 Cor. 10.4 That which makes these Weapons mighty is that they are through God and that which makes them pull down strong holds is that they are spiritual This holy City or Church of God hath Walls and Bulwarks about it a Wall that the Enemies cannot scale and get over they that are within need not fear killing We have a strong City salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Isa 26.1 For I saith the Lord will be unto her a wall of fire round about and will be the glory in the midst of her Zech. 2.5 This Wall Pharaoh could not break through with all his Army nor get over to come at Israel though he put on with all his might The Enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them Exod. 15.9 But Pharaoh did but one of all these that was he pursued the Church because the Lord was between the Egyptians and the Israelites as a Wall about his People this wall the persecuting Kings of Israel and Judah could never break through to destroy Gods Church and People For he that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of his Eye Zech. 2.8 when the Jews and the Gentiles both made an assault to use them despitefully and to Stone them Acts 14.5 God was then a Wall about his Church that the Enemies could not destroy it they are kept by his power assisted by his Spirit comforted by his promises strengthned by his presence confirmed by his word The Lord God is their Sun and Shield the Lord will give grace and glory no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly Psalm 84.11 Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isa 26.4 the Church of God hath the same security now that it ever had in all times and it is the same security that Angels have for their standing and continuing for ever in Heavenly glory and happiness for they are upheld by the word of his power Who being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his Person and upholding all things by the word of his Power when he had by himself purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 1.3 Gods truth and faithfulness in his word confirms and fixes them they take hold of this as we do and rejoyce in it To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be made known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Eph. 3.10 Vnto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you which the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven which things the Angels desire to look into 1 Pet. 1.12 And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me See thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy Brethren that have the Testimony of Jesus worship God Rev. 19.10 And I John saw these things and heard them and when I had heard and seen I fell down to worship before the feet of the Angel which shewed me these things Then saith he unto me See thou do it not for I am thy fellow-servant and of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this Book worship God Rev. 22.8 9. If the heavenly Angels should say to God Almighty Lord what assurance hast thou given unto us that we fall not and be not cast down to the fallen Angels What security have we for our standing and abiding here in Heaven and to continue in this glory and happiness for ever and ever Would not God Almighty then answer and say unto them You have my Word my faithful sayings the Word of a God that is true and certain Psal 119.87 They had almost consumed me upon Earth but I forsook not thy Precepts For verily I say unto you Till Heaven and Earth pass one jot and one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Mat. 5.18 Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away Mar. 13.31 And it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass than one tittle of the Law to fall Luk. 16.17 This is the assurance that God hath given both to Angels and Men if there were as many Enemies as there be drops of water in the Sea they shall not be able to destroy this Kingdom the Church of God on Earth There shall not an hair of your head perish Luke 21.18 Persecutors may kill but they cannot overcome they may lay low but they cannot lay waste they may spoil but they cannot utterly destroy the Martyrs won the day And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12.11 Men live upon their Inheritance and therefore are not willing to part with that at any rate The Church is God's Portion and his Inheritance For the Lord's Portion is his People Jacob is the Lot of his Inheritance Deut. 32.9 The Saints are God's Jewels which he will not suffer to be destroyed but will make them up And they shall be mine saith the Lord of Hosts in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him Mal. 3.17 They are the Sheep of his Pasture that enter into his Gates with thanksgiving and into his Courts with praise Psal 100 4. These are they that God holds fast in his hand so fast that no man can pluck them out I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand my Father that gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand John 10.28 29. The Church is Christ's body and this body can never be drown'd as long as the head keeps above water He is an Advocate for his Church in Heaven and fights against the Dragon and his Angels here below And there was war in Heaven Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angels Rev. 12.7 The Church hath been a long time on a Sea of
Glass mingled with Fire and there she will continue till the fourth Kingdom that of Iron mixt with Clay be broken to pieces and become like Chaff of the Summer threshing-floors and the wind carry them away that no place be found for them Dan. 2.35 Notwithstanding the Spouse of Christ stands on a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire she is not destroyed And I saw as it were a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire and them that had gotten the victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God and they sung the song of Moses the Servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all Nations shall come and worship before thee for thy Judgments are made manifest Rev. 15.2 3 4. John the Divine that out-lived all the Apostles he being the last of them as is believed wrote this Book of the Revelations in an excellent stile the matter of it being excellent it was sent to him from Heaven Write the things which thou hast seen and the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter Rev. 1.19 That is from that time to this and from this time to the end of the World of all the things concerning the Church of God in the latter days and in the last days Here we have a sight of the Church often in the fifth chapter of this Book And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation v. 9. This is a thanksgiving for their Redemption being redeem'd by the blood of Christ and delivered from wrath to come In the twelfth chapter you have another sight of the Church A Woman clothed with the Sun and the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of twelve Stars v. 1. But against this Woman came the Red Dragon with the power of Hell to devour her Child as soon as it was born The Devil and the World cannot endure the pure Worship of God and the true Religion that is profess'd by God s Children This Woman the true Church of God fled into the Wilderness where she had a place prepared of God but the Dragon followed her and made war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ v. 17. that in the generation of the Just in all times the Church is the Mother and the Womb that brings forth Gods faithful people in all ages and though the Dragon in persecuters hath made war against them yet they could never destroy them In the fourteenth Chapter you may see this Church following the lamb wheresoever he goes and were redeem'd from among men and from the Earth and having his fathers name written in their foreheads and in their mouths was found no guile these were Virgin Saints that had not drank of the Whores cup nor been defiled with her abominations You have a sight again of this Church in the fifteenth chapter which I mentioned before And I saw as it were a sea of Glass mingled with fire and them that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name stand on the sea of Glass having the Harps of God. See then these following things Their place Their posture Their Victory Their thanks-giving 1. Their place as it were on a sea of Glass that is the World and the People that are in it Psal 46.2 3. And four great beasts came out from the Sea divers one from another Dan. 7.3 And I stood upon the sand of the Sea and saw a beast rise up out of the Sea having seven Heads and ten Horns and upon his Horns ten Crowns and upon his Heads the name of Blasphemy Rev. 13.1 This Sea then is the World and in this World you shall have trouble 2. Their posture They stand on the Sea of Glass Glass is that which lets light into a room wherever the Church of God is there is light light springing up light breaking forth light shining out Believers are Children of the day and of the light God hath shin'd into their hearts in the face of Christ Jesus Now the World and the Devil cannot endure this light but blow up the coals and kindle the fire of persecution that they may put out and destroy this light of saving knowledg Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you 1 Pet. 4.12 This is the sea of Glass mingled with Fire the fire of contention the fire of persecution and the fire of tribulation yet however Gods people stand they stand fast and having done all they stand having their loins girt about with truth and having on the breast-plate of righteousness and their feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph. 6.13 14 15. 3. Their victory over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name you see here who they are that get the victory and this victory was got on the Sea of Glass mingled with fire that is in prisons and in dungeons and in great tribulations and in times of great calamities under sore trials Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword as it is written for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter nay in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us Rom. 8.35 36 37. who through faith subdued Kingdoms â—rought righteousness obtained promises stopped the mouths of Lions Heb. 11.33 for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the World and this is the victory that overcometh the World even our faith 1 John 5.4 the victory then the Saints get is over the Devil over his temptations over his devices and over all his assaults and wiles For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this World against spiritual wickedness in high places Eph. 6.12 this victory is over the World the pleasures of the World and the profits of the World and over the frowns of the World. Who is he that overcometh the World but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 1 John 5.5 this victory is over the beast his ordinances and laws over his image his worship and doctrines over his mark his profession and perswasion over the number of his name
with Christ Jesus and with the Spirits of Just men made perfect Fourthly The blessed Angels will not leave them 1. The Angels did proclaim the birth of our Saviour And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace good will towards men Luke 2.13 14. 2. They do rejoyce at the conversion of sinners I say unto you that likewise Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine Just persons which need no repentance Luke 15.7 3 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him and deliver them Psal 34.7 For we are made a spectacle unto the world and to Angels and to men 1 Cor. 4.9 For this cause ought the Woman to have power on her Head because of the Angels 1 Cor. 11.10 4. They are all ministring Spirits Spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 5. Lazarus died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom Luke 16.22 The mystery of Angels we shall better understand in the next world than we do in this but this is certain the Church of God receives great benefits by them as I have prov'd before They are Spirits that are invisible They enter into our Houses as the light doth They take up no room nor justle any body aside They see and behold us though we see not them and do us good though we know it not and oftentimes keep evil from us though we do not understand it Heaven is their countrey yet they are often upon the Earth and do know the state and condition of the Church better than we do Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have meâ—cy on Jerusalem and on the Cities of Judah against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years and the Lord answered the Angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words Zech. 12 13. By this you may see God the Father will not leave his Children Christ Jesus the Son of God will not leave the Members of his Body the Spirit of God will not leave its temple that he dwells in the Angels of God will not leave the charge that is committed to them The Kingdom shall not be left to anâ—â—her â—eople First It shall not be left to another People as the Canâ—anites were left to the Sword of Joshua and to the Sword of the Hebrews that he might destroy them utterly and that they might have no favour but that he might destroy them as the Lord commanded Mâ—ses So Joshua took the whâ—le Land according to all that the Lord had said unto Moses and Joshua gave it for an Inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their Tribes and the land did rest from war Joshua 11.20 23. the Church of God shall never be left to another People as the Amalekites were left to the Spears and Swords of Saul and his Army Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not but slay both Man and Woman Infant and Suckling Ox and Sheep Camel and Ass 1 Sam. 15.4 The Enemies may fall upon some small parties here and there and rout and destroy some of them as they have done all along but they will never be able to rout and destroy the main body of the Church This they could never do with all their power force and multitudes that they have brought together against the Church of God This they could never do and this they shall never be able to do as I have shewed before the Enemies have done their utmost oftentimes to cut off and destroy the Church of God by wicked ways by cruel laws and by bloody hands For lo thine Enemies make a tumult and they that hate thee have lift up the head they have taken crafty counsel against thy People â—nd consulted against thy hidden ones They have said Come and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance for they have consulted together with one consent they are confederate against thee Psal 83.2 3 4 5. This they have done often and this they will do by tumults by crafty counsel and by a confederacy Why do the Heathen rage and the People imagine a vain thing the Kings of the Earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision then shall he speak unto thâ—m in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion Psal 2.1 to 6. When men have done all they can and done their worst yet God will set his Son upon his holy hill of Sion and all the Enemies that are in the world will not be able to hinder it men speak great words and it comes to nothing God speaks and his word stands the Church of God is like a rock by the Sea side the Waves beat violently against the rock but they break not the rock but themselves The Enemies of Gods Church have made many assaults and like the Waves of the Sea have beat violently against it and upon it but they break not the Church but themselves to pieces The Church of God is like the Sea what it loseth in one place it gains in another When the Enemies are destroying God's faithfull Servants in one place then the God of Heaven is increasing and gathering of theâ— in another place by calling and conveâ—ting of hundreds and thousands turning them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to himself convincing their consciences enlightning their minds opening their understandings purifying their hearts by Faith and blessing them with spiritual blessings causing them to stand up to be faithful Witnesses and to bear faithful Testimonies in their day as others had done before them for God and his Truth By this it appears very plain that the Kingdom shall not be left to another People Secondly It shall not be left to another People The people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the Nations This people shall not mingle themselves with other people Numb 23.9 They shall not cleave one to another the World is one thing but the Church of God is another thing the World is a common Field but the Church is a well watered Garden Isa 51.3 The Garden of the Lord Isa 58.11 The World is as a Wilderness a barren Desart but the Church is a Vineyard which the Lord hath planted Psal 80.15 The World is a destroying Mountain Jer. 51.25 but the Church is God's Holy Hill Psal 2.6 The World is a Kingdom of darkness Eph. 5.11 but
are but a few therefore vain and carnal men do conclude thaâ— they are in the right and that the most are the best and that it is a safe and sure way to follow a multitude Secondly Because they are poor I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of the Lord Zeph. 3.12 The true followers of the Lamb in all Ages have been the poor of this world but rich in Faith and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven and because they were so the world despised them and were filled with prejudice against them Then answered them the Pharisees Are ye also deceived Have any of the Rulers or the Pharisees believed on him but this people who knoweth not the Law are cursed Joh. 7.47 48 49. The world have always had a great prejudice against Truth where-ever it was found against Truth in the Word of God against Truth in the Worship of God against Truth in the Ways of God against Truth in the People of God against Truth in the Providences of God this is that the world knoweth not this is that it cannot receive this is that it cannot bear therefore the people of the world are filled with prejudice against Truth as they have been in all times and in all Ages past that is to say 1. Against the Morning Truth 2. Against the Naked Truth 3. Against the whole Truth 4. Against the Love of Truth 1. The Morning Truth is that love light mercy and grace which Almighty God hath been pleas'd to bring forth and make manifest to his people in the dispensations of Times and in the Ages of the World for the good of them that did love and fear him When the fulness of time was come that the Children of Israel were to be brought out of the Land of Egypt and to go in and possess that good Land of Canaan which the Lord had promis'd to give them for an inheritance this was then the Morning truth To believe the Lord their God and to follow him fully but they were filled with prejudice against it And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this Land to fall by the Sword that our Wives and our Children should be a prey were it not better for us to return into Egypt And they said one to another Let us make a Captain and let us return into Egypt Numb 14.3 4. But when they had possessed the Land of Canaan and had divided the Land by Lot the Morning truth was then To keep Gods Commandments and to observe his Statutes and Judgments and to keep themselves from Idols and from all Idolatry but they were filled with prejudice against it and rebelled against the Lord their God and built them high places and did set up Images and Groves on every Hill and under every green Tree 1 Kin. 14.23 And when they slew the Beasts for sacrifice that they might offer up their blood they were then to look through all the sacrifices and through the blood to the blood of Jesus For if the blood of Bulls and of Goats and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the Flesh how much more shall the blood of Christ Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.13 14. Then the morning truth was to believe the Prophets which shewed of the coming of the Just one but they were filled with prejudice against it Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just one of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers Acts 7.52 And in the days of our Saviour when he was on the Earth and preached Peace to them and wrought many Miracles amongst them went up and down doing good this was then the morning truth To believe in him Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 But they were filled with prejudice against it Then Jesus said unto the chief Priests and Captains of the Temple and the elders which were come to him Be ye come out as against a Thief with Swords and Staves When I was daily with you in the Temple ye stretched forth no Hands against me but this is your hour and the power of darkness Luke 22.52 53. And after he was risen from the dead and had shewed himself several times to his Disciples and that all power was given to him both in Heaven and in Earth then this was the morning truth Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Mat. 28.19 20. But they were filled with prejudice against it And when they had brought them and set them before the counsel the high Priest asked them saying Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name And behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine and intend to bring this mans Blood upon us Acts 5.27 28. But when believers were added unto the Lord multitudes both of Men and Women then the morning truth was the free grace of God being Justified by Faith. And by him all that believe are Justified from all things from which ye could not be Justified by the law of Moses Acts 13.39 but they were filled with prejudice against it For as much as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls saying Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such commandment Acts 15.24 And this is the morning truth now to worship the ever living God in spirit and in truth and to wait for his Son Christ Jesus from Heaven and for the rich anointing of the spirit and the fulfilling of his word and the accomplishment of the prophecies and the perfecting of his work and the finiâ—hing of the mysteries of God to wait in patience in faith and in hope in a lamb-like spirit this is the morning truth in this our day and the World is filled with prejudice against it 2. The naked truth as it stands in the scriptures of truth which was delivered to the Saints of God by the Prophets and by the holy Apostles and by our Lord Jesus For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Heb. 1.1 2. To the law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light
Church of God shall break in pieces and consume And it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms Life shall consume deadness light shall consume darkness good shall consume evil love shall consume enmity truth shall consume error power shall consume prejudice For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10.4 5. This breaking in pieces is not by outward of the Dragons in the waters thou brakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness Psal 74.12 13 14. Where Faith is lively and vigorous there is nothing can stand before it it carries a man over all dangers it carries him through all difficulties it conquers all Enemies and it gives him a sight of that glory which is invisible by it he lives in Heaven while he is on Earth 2. By Prayer The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Jam. 5.16 Moses Prayer availed much And the Lord said unto Moses Wherefore criest thou unto me speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward Exod. 14.15 Jehoshaphat's Prayer availed much O our God! wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee 2 Chron. 20.12 Asa's Prayer availed much And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power help us O Lord our God! for we rest on thee and in thy name we go against this great multitude O Lord thou art our God let not man prevail against thee 2 Chron. 14.11 Hezekiah's Prayer availed much For this cause Hezekiah the King and the Prophet Isaiah the Son of Amos prayed and cried to heaven 2 Chron. 22.20 Elias Prayer availed much Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias how he maketh intercession unto God against Israel saying Lord they have killed thy Prophets and digged down thine Altars and I am left alone and they seek my life 1 King. 19.10 Prayer hath obtained great Victories Prayer hath remov'd great Evils Prayer hath broken and consum'd great Enemies Fear not thou Worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel Behold I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth Thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small and shalt make the hills as chaff Thou shalt fan them and the wind shall carry them away and the whirlwind shall scatter them And thou shalt rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them Isa 41.14 15 16 17. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will Rev. 11.6 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints Eph. 6.18 That is Mental Prayer Exod. 14.15 Vocal Prayer Acts 4.24 Secret Prayer Mat. 6.6 Accidental Prayer Judg. 16.28 That which makes Prayer so powerful and prevailing is these three things 1. God the Object 2. The Spirit the Advocate 3. The Saint the Seeker 1. God is the Object that all his people look unto Their eyes are unto him and the desire of their Souls is unto his name and to the remembrance of him Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45.22 When we come to the Throne of his Grace and cast our selves down at his Feet by Prayer and Supplication God is that glorious Object we pray unto and by Faith behold him and take hold of his strength and wrestle with him for the obtaining of all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus This is that the Saints of God have always done and this is that the Scriptures of truth teach us to do that when we pray the Lord God should be the Object of our Prayers Prayer is a great part of Gods worship and of all parts this is the most Spiritual Now they that have other Objects when they pray do but deceive themselves and rob God of his honour in giving that glory to graven Images which is only due to God Almighty But in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 2. The Spirit is the Advocate Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities For we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with greanings which cannot be uttered And be that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Rom. 8.26 27. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for the spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2.10 For through him we both have an â—ccess by one spirit unto the Father Eph. 2.18 The holy Spirit maketh intercession and is an Advocate for man with God and this makes a Saint a Conqueror for the Spirit of God that is in him so prevaileth with God for him that whatsoever he asketh in Faith according to the will of God it is given to him For ye have received the spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Now the Spirit is a double Advocate it is an Advocate for men with God and it is an Advocate for God with men The first of these I have already shewed you and this will lead me to the second And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. By this you may see how God beseecheth men to be reconciled unto him and this he doth by the Spirit in the Ministry of the Word The holy Spirit strives with men but they resist the strivings of it And the Lord said My spirit shall not always strive with man Gen. 6.3 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do always resist the holy Ghost as
Head perish Luke 21.18 3. The Word of Threatning The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces Out of Heaven shall he thunder upon them The Lord shall judge the ends of the Earth and he shall give strength unto his King and exalt the Horn of his Anointed 1 Sam. 2.10 Associate your selves O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces and give ear all ye of far Countreys Gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces Take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand For God is with us Isa 8.9 10. And I will make drunk her Princes and her Wise men her Captains and her Rulers and her Mighty men And they shâ—ll sleep a perpetual sleep and not wakâ— saith the King whose name is the Lord oâ— Hosâ—s Jer. 51 5â— Wo unto you that desire the day of tâ—e Lord To what end is it for you the day of the Lord is darkness and not light As if a man did flee from a Lion and a Bear met him or went into the House and leaned his Hand on the Wall and a Serpent bit him Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness and not light even very dark and no brightnâ—ss in it Amos 5.18 19 20. Though they dâ—â— into Hell thence shall mine hand take them Though they climb up to Heaven thence will I bring them down And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel I will search and take them out thence And though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the Sea thence will I command the Serpent and he shall bite them And though they go into Captivity before their Enemies thence will I command the Sword and it shall slay them And I will set mine Eyes upon them for evil and not for good Amos 9.2 3 4. Therefore wait ye upon me saith the Lord until the day that I rise up to the prey for my determinâ—tion is to gather the Nations that I may assemble the Kingdoms to pour upon them mine indignation even all my fierce anger For all the Earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie Zeph. 3.8 For behold thoâ—â—y cometh that shall burn as an Oven and all tâ—e Proud yea and all that do wickedly shall be stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up saith the Lord of Hosts that it shall not leave them neither root nor branch Mal. 4.1 These shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her Flesh and burn her with fire For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the Peast until the words of God shall be fulfilled Rev. 17.16 17. Therefore shaâ—l her Plagues come in one daâ— Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnt with fire For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her Rev. 18 8. God hath given assurance to all men that his Church shall stand for ever Now he that runs may read and he that reads may see in these many Texts of Scripture I have set before you that the True Church shall stand for ever Secondly From the Providences of God. God brings forth Time. Time brings forth Providences Providence brings forth Things And things work together yea all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Providence is that seal d Book sealed with seven Seals And I saw in the right Hand of him that sate on the Throne a Book written within and on the back side sealed with seven Seals Rev. 5.1 The Angels were to sound the seven Trumpets The Angels were to pour out the Vials of the wrath of God. But the Lamb was to open the seven Seals that had sealâ—d up the Book of Providence And as the Lamb opened the Seals Providence brought forth thâ— things that were to be as God had purposed and determined according to his own Counsel and Will and these things knoweth no man till Providence brings them forth But of that day and that hour knoweth no man no not the Angels which are in Heaven neither the Son but the Father Mark 13.32 And he said unto them It is not for you to know the Times and the Seasons which the Father hath put in his own power Acts 1.7 Surely the Angels that are in Heaven know more than men that are on the Earth and yet you see they did not know of that day nor hour nor the Son as he was man but the Father And after our Lord Jesus was risen from the dead the Apostles asked of him saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel He then soon answered them It is not for you to know the Times or Seasons which the Father hath put in his own power No man knoweth what shall be on the morrow what a day may bring forth Jam. 4.14 No man can say This shall be or that shall be in this time or at that time He can go no further than conjectures and imaginations which have led men into error and confusion and into great mistakes This is very plain that men do not know what shall befal them and others the next hour And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the Seals I heard as it were the noise of thunder and I saw and behold a white Horse and he that sate on him had a Bow and a Crown was given unto him and he went forth Conquering and to Conquer And when he had opened the second Seal there went out another Horse that was red And power was given to him that sate thereon to take peace from the Earth and that they should kill one another And there was given unto him a great Sword. And when he had opened the third Seal I beheld and lo a black Horse and he that sate on him had a pair of Ballances in his Hand And I heard a voice in the midst of the four Beasts saying A measure of Wheat for a penny and three measures of Barley for a penny and see thou hurt not the Oyl and the Wine And when he had opened the fourth Seal I looked and behold a pale Horse and his name that sate on him was Death and Hell followed with him And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the Earth to kill with Sword and with Hunger and with Death and with the Beasts of the Earth c. Rev. 6.1 to 8. By this you may see things did not appear until the Seals were opened but as soon as the Lamb had opened any of the Seals Providence brought forth the things that did appear to the sight and view of men Then that came to be known which before was unknown When he had opened the first Seal I saw and behold a white Horse and he that sate on him had a Bow